The Knightly News: Recreation and beauty abounds

Supervisor John Knight

Last November I was riding on an elevator with two other men who were excited about the early snow and were expecting another great ski season.

While the winter months brought limited precipitation, our spring has poured out rain and snow. All is blooming with recreational sports abound. El Dorado County is such a wonderful area for winter sports: skiing, snow boarding, snow shoeing, riding snow mobiles and snow sledding. Within a 40 to 90 minutes drive from El Dorado Hills we have first-class resorts and trails.

The good news is that we are finishing the winter sport season strong and have now entered into a beautiful spring season.

This weekend friends and family will be taking part in El Dorado Winery Association’s Passport Weekend. This event is a must as driving through the green hills past blooming trees and wildflowers make the wine tasting even better. Each winery allows tasting along with special food dishes. Some of the wineries have spectacular that will leave you awestruck. Some of our favorite viewing points are Holly’s Hill, Sierra Vista, Madroña, Boeger, DK Cellars, David Girard Winery and just about any winery in the Fair Play or Camino area.

There is no better way to experience your county, with a designated driver, than driving from winery to winery, sampling the best wines and food and taking in the glorious spring time beauty.

For those looking for warmer weather activities, you can look forward to local camping in the Coloma area, Sly Park, Folsom Lake and the Crystal Basin. These areas have great beaches, great boating, sailing, fishing, swimming and, for the thrill seekers, a whitewater rafting trip with a professional company down the American River.

All of these areas also provide many hiking, biking and equestrian trails. You can hike down the famous Rubicon Trail or take a day hike in the Crystal Basin. You could do an overnight hike through the Desolation Wilderness Area.

While driving to your chosen destination, don’t forget to stop at the many historical sites along the way. The Coloma gold discovery site is in the top five visited state parks in California. In addition, you have interesting sites in Placerville and up and down Highway 49. n El Dorado County you get both history of national significance and many recreational experiences.

As your District 1 Supervisor I have been working on the Bass Lake Park in partnership with the El Dorado Hills Community Service District, El Dorado Irrigation District and with local residents such as the Bass Lake Action Committee. Outdoor sports, local parks and recreational activities are part of a robust and healthy community for our residents and their families. My family is so appreciative of the wonderful parks available in El Dorado Hills and other areas of the county that allow for safe, clean, and beautiful surroundings to play and be together.

Springtime is a time of renewal. We live in beauty and, like you, I cherish this and want to protect it for generations to come. Enjoy!

I welcome any ideas or questions you may have. Please send them to me via email at [email protected] and I will make sure that staff takes a serious look at them.